KR20030029893A - Device control method, data transfer apparatus, and recording medium - Google Patents

Abstract

It is a data transmission device that simplifies the module structure and makes the processing more efficient for controlling the connected data recording device. The control code by the common application module whose main purpose is checkout / check-in is transmitted through the device driver as a control code according to the device connected by the conversion module. For example, the device driver is shared with the control code by the local application module whose main purpose is to control the processing depending on the connected device. For example, the local application module issues a control code in accordance with the control code format converted by the conversion module. Or suggests that the local control code in a format different from the control code format converted by the conversion module is issued and issues the local control code.

Description

Device control method, data transmission device and recording medium {DEVICE CONTROL METHOD, DATA TRANSFER APPARATUS, AND RECORDING MEDIUM}

For example, a personal computer's HDD (hard disk drive) is treated as a primary recording medium, which stores content data such as music, transfers the stored content data to be recorded on another recording medium (secondary recording medium), There is a usage mode in which music and the like are enjoyed on the secondary recording medium side. In addition, content data is data whose main purpose is delivery / transmission / use of music data, video data, game data, computer software, etc., for example.

In this case, the HDD stores content data such as music reproduced from package media such as CD-DA (Compact Disc Digital Audio) or DVD (Digital Versatile Disc) or externally via a communication network to which a personal computer is connected. Content data downloaded from a music server or the like is accumulated. Then, the user connects the recording device of the secondary recording medium to the personal computer, copies (copys) or moves (moves) the content data stored in the HDD to the secondary recording medium, thereby reproducing the corresponding recording medium. The device plays content data such as music.

As the secondary recording medium, for example, a memory card using a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, a mini disk as a magneto-optical disk, or a CD-R (CD Recordable), a CD-RW (CD Rewritable), a DVD-RAM, a DVD -R, DVD-RW, etc. can be considered.

As recording apparatuses and playback apparatuses corresponding to secondary recording media, recorders / players corresponding to these media (recording media) are widely used, and are widely used as stationary recording and playback apparatuses, portable recording and playback apparatuses, and the like. Each user exists and records / reproduces content data in accordance with his or her own preferences and owned devices.

In addition, for example, when considering the use form of such content data, copyright protection for the content data should be considered. For example, if a user makes use of a delivery service of content data or purchases packaged media, accumulates the content data on the HDD, and allows the content data to be copied to the secondary recording medium indefinitely, There is a situation where protection is not planned. For this reason, various technologies and data processing arrangements have been proposed to maintain copyright protection in the handling of content data as digital data, and one of them has a standard called SDMI (SECURE DIGITAL MUSIC INITIATIVE).

Although the data path established by this SDMI will be described later, for example, content accumulated in a personal computer having an HDD as a primary recording medium, for example, content data distributed from an external server via a network (hereinafter, network content). For example, content data read from package media such as a CD-DA or a DVD reproduced by a disc drive device such as a CD-ROM drive built into a personal computer or a disc drive device connected to a personal computer (hereinafter, Disc content) is properly performed after transfer / recording to the secondary recording medium in consideration of copyright protection and the general user's interest (right of private copying).

On the other hand, in the case of transferring and copying content data from a primary recording medium such as an HDD to a secondary recording medium such as a mini disk or a memory card, a study for satisfying both the rights of copyright protection and private copying as described above. Is being carried out.

In other words, the transmission to the secondary recording medium compatible with the SDMI is as follows.

As the secondary recording medium corresponding to the SDMI, for example, a memory card compatible with the SDMI using a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory or the like is assumed, and the content is recorded in the encrypted state in the secondary recording medium. For example, in a primary recording medium such as an HDD, in the case of SDMI content, encryption is carried out and accumulated, and therefore, it is copied to the secondary recording medium as it is.

Of course, the reproducing apparatus for the secondary recording medium is provided with a decryption function, so that the content data copied in the encrypted state can be reproduced.

In the SDMI-compatible secondary recording medium, an area for recording the content ID serving as the identifier for each content data is prepared after the format.

The content ID is generated for each content data accumulated in the primary recording medium (HDD) in a device on the primary recording medium side and stored together with the content data. However, when the content data is copied to the secondary recording medium, The content ID of the content data is also recorded on the secondary recording medium.

The content ID is used for content right management on the primary recording medium side and secondary recording medium side. The content right here is a transmission right to the secondary recording medium (the right to be copied to the secondary recording medium) on the primary recording medium side, and a reproduction right to reproduce the copied content data on the secondary recording medium side.

In addition, hereinafter, transfer of the content data from the primary recording medium to the secondary recording medium (transfer of rights) is referred to as " checkout " and the return of the content data from the secondary recording medium to the primary recording medium (actually Return of a right) is called "check-in".

In the SDMI system, a transfer rule is determined for checkout and check-in.

As an example, for one piece of content data, the checkout from the primary recording medium to the secondary recording medium is allowed three times (the transfer right is "three times").

When the checkout is made, the right is transferred to the secondary recording medium side, and on the primary recording medium side, the remaining transfer right of the content data is twice. On the other hand, the reproduction right is obtained on the secondary recording medium side.

In addition, when the user checks in from the secondary recording medium to the primary recording medium, the right is returned. That is, the reproduction right is lost on the secondary recording medium side, and one transfer right is restored on the primary recording medium side.

This checkout / check-in management is performed by using the content ID for each piece of content data.

At the time of checkout, the content data and the content ID are recorded on the secondary recording medium side, so that the content data can be reproduced on the secondary recording medium side (get the reproduction right). In the primary recording medium, one transfer of content ID is regarded as having been transferred, thereby reducing the right to transfer by the Usage Rule.

In addition, at the time of check-in, the content data is not actually transmitted and returned, but the content data is erased from the secondary recording medium, and the content ID is returned from the primary recording medium side, thereby increasing the right to transfer by the Usage Rule. . On the secondary recording medium side, the reproduction right is lost.

In this way, the SDMI-compliant secondary recording medium is copy-recorded in the encrypted state, and the rights of the content are managed in accordance with check-out and check-in, thereby preventing unlimited copying and promoting copyright protection. It secures the user's private copy right.

Further, for example, the content data downloaded and stored from the external server to the HDD as the primary recording medium is encrypted with the content key CK.

For the purpose of description herein, it is assumed that the content data "A3D" compressed by the ATRAC3 method (although other compression methods may be used) is encrypted and stored with the content key CK in the HDD which is the primary recording medium.

In the present specification, the data y encrypted with the key X is represented by E (x, y) for explanation.

In addition, with respect to the encrypted data E (x, y), the data decrypted by the key x will be expressed as D {x, E (x, y)}.

Therefore, for example, if the compressed data of the ATRAC3 system is "A3D" as described above, the content data "A3D" encrypted with the content key CK becomes E (CK, A3D).

In addition, data in which E (CK, A3D) is decoded by key CK can be expressed as D {CK, E (CK, A3D)}.

In addition to the encrypted content data E (CK, A3D), the HDD as the primary recording medium also stores the content key CK in the state encrypted with the root key KR, that is, E (KR, CK). For example, the encrypted content key E (KR, CK) is downloaded from the external server together with the encrypted content data E (CK, A3D).

In this case, when content data is transferred from the HDD as the primary recording medium to the secondary recording medium, the encrypted content data E (CK, A3D) and the encrypted content key E (KR, CK) may be transmitted.

By retaining the root key KR in the secondary recording medium side device, the content key CK can be decrypted using the root key KR, and the encrypted content data can be decrypted using the decrypted content key CK.

However, the root key KR is changed according to the will of the copyright holder and various circumstances, and it is also possible to set a different root key KR for each content data. Although the detailed description is omitted, it has a function of limiting the content delivery destination by the processing of the root key KR.

For this reason, data called an EKB (Enabling Key Block) may be distributed. In a regular terminal to which content data is transmitted, a method of enabling the root key to be confirmed by EKB is also employed. That is, the EKB is also distributed from the server together with the encrypted content data or the encrypted content key and stored in the HDD.

Here, it is conceivable to use a mini disc (optomagnetic disc), which is now widely used as a secondary recording medium.

For example, when a mini-disc recording device compatible with SDMI is considered, the mini-disc recording device is recorded on the mini-disc in the state of E (CK, A3D) in the encrypted state with respect to the checked out content data.

During playback, the SDMI-compatible mini-disc playback device obtains ATRAC3 data (A3D) decrypted as D {CK, E (CK, A3D)} = A3D, and then performs predetermined decoding processing to perform playback output such as music. Will be done.

On the other hand, in the mini disc system which is generally prevalent, encrypted data is not recorded on a mini disc. Naturally, the mini disc player does not have a decryption function.

Therefore, even if the content data is recorded on the mini-disc in the mini-disc recorder compatible with the SDMI, the content data recorded on the mini-disc cannot be reproduced in most mini-disc players that do not support the SDMI. That is, playback compatibility is not obtained.

This restricts the proper use of the SDMI content purchased by the general user, which may greatly reduce the value or satisfaction of the SDMI content providing service for the general user.

In view of the above, when copying and recording the SDMI contents onto the secondary recording medium, the mini-disc is unencrypted by transferring it to a mini-disc recording device that does not support SDMI, for example, in the unencrypted state. It is conceivable to record on a secondary recording medium such as the above.

However, enabling such a copy facilitates copying of the content data. This leaves room for illegal copying, and there is a fear that copyright protection, which is the original purpose of SDMI, cannot be realized.

Therefore, as one method of content data transmission, the applicant first proposes the following transmission scheme.

That is, at the time of content data transmission, the data transmission device (primary recording medium side device) authenticates the data recording device (secondary recording medium side device) to be the transfer destination, and becomes authentication OK, and the content provider side ( Permission to transfer content data subject to the permission of the copyright holder). The content data is transmitted over the transmission path in an encrypted state, but the encrypted data is decoded and recorded on the secondary recording medium. In addition, right management for checkout and check-in is also performed.

This allows copying and recording in an unencrypted state, so that the user can be convenient and the copyright protection function is not lost.

In this way, the data transfer apparatus is a personal computer equipped with an HDD, the one data recording apparatus is a mini disc recorder, and the contents transfer is performed from the HDD as the primary recording medium to the mini disc as the secondary recording medium. In reality, it is suitable for both the content provider side and the user side.

By the way, in the above system, the user can use a variety of things, such as a memory card or a mini disk, as a secondary recording medium for checking out content data. That is, a memory card recording apparatus or a mini disk recorder can be arbitrarily connected to a personal computer, whereby a checkout / check-in of the content data can be executed.

In this case, when a data transmission device (personal computer) on the primary recording medium side is considered, various data recording devices such as a memory card recording device and a mini disc recorder can be checked out / checked in or the content data on the secondary recording medium side can be checked. It is necessary to provide the function which can control a process etc.

In other words, it is required to install application software for transmitting a command (control code) corresponding to each device to various secondary recording medium side devices.

In the present state, in various devices such as the memory card recording apparatus and the mini disc recorder, the format of the control code form, the command frame structure, etc. are not common to the control commands by the application software.

For this reason, for an application whose main purpose is to check out / check in content data, an independent application must be prepared for each connected secondary recording medium side device.

In addition, since there are various types of devices on the secondary recording medium side, these controls are performed when various processes depending on the type of the device on the secondary recording medium side, for example, control of reproduction, recording, editing, etc. of content data, are performed. You need another local application, with the primary purpose.

Here, a control command issued by an application whose main purpose is checkout / check-in, and a control command issued by a local application whose main purpose is to control various processes depending on the secondary recording medium side device are control code forms. The command frame structure and the like also exist independently.

For this reason, complicated processing for switching an application and a device driver in accordance with the processing is required.

The present invention relates to a device control method, a data transmission device, and a recording medium suitable for a system in which a data transmission device and a data recording device are connected to transmit content data such as music.

1 is a block diagram of a system configuration of an embodiment of the present invention.

2 is an explanatory diagram of a data path example of SDMI content in the embodiment.

Fig. 3 is a block diagram of the primary recording medium side device of the embodiment.

4 is a block diagram of a secondary recording medium side device of the embodiment;

5 is an explanatory diagram of an application module structure of an embodiment;

6 is an explanatory diagram of a conversion command frame by the program module of the embodiment;

7 is an explanatory diagram of a conversion command frame by the local application of the embodiment;

8A and 8B are explanatory diagrams of the send control command and the receive response command of the embodiment;

9A and 9B are explanatory diagrams of send bender commands and receive bender commands in the embodiment;

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION In view of these circumstances, an object of the present invention is to provide a module structure for controlling a connected data recording apparatus so as to simplify the software structure and the efficiency of processing.

For this reason, in this invention, the data transmission apparatus which has the primary recording medium which stored content data, and the data recording apparatus which can record the content data with respect to a secondary recording medium are connected, and the content data stored in the said primary recording medium is connected. Is a device control method for a data recording apparatus connected by the data transmission apparatus when the second recording medium can be transmitted to the secondary recording medium, the first control sequence and the second control sequence control contents to be executed. May be selectively performed according to

In the first control procedure, the control code according to the common control content not depending on the type of the secondary recording medium is issued by the common application module, and the control module is converted by the conversion module in accordance with the connected data recording apparatus. This converted control code is transmitted to the data recording apparatus connected via the device driver.

The second control procedure issues a control code corresponding to the control content not prepared in the common application module by the local application module and transmits the issued control code to the data recording apparatus connected through the device driver. .

Here, in the second control procedure, the local application module issues a control code in accordance with a control code format converted by the conversion module.

Alternatively, in the second control procedure, the local application module presents the purpose of issuing a local control code in a format different from the control code format converted by the conversion module, and issues the local control code.

The data transfer apparatus of the present invention is the primary recording medium drive means for recording and reproducing data for a primary recording medium and an external data recording apparatus for recording for a secondary recording medium. A control code is transmitted to communication means capable of performing various data communication including transmission of content data stored in the recording medium, and to various data recording apparatuses communicatively connected by the communication means, It is provided with the connection apparatus control means to control.

The connected device control means includes a data recording apparatus connected to a common application module for issuing a control code according to common control contents not dependent on the type of secondary recording medium, and a control code issued by the common application module. A conversion module for converting to a control code according to the present invention, a local application module for issuing control codes according to control contents not provided in the common application module, and a data recording apparatus connected thereto, and converted by the conversion module. And a device driver for transmitting each of the control codes and the control codes issued by the local application module to the connected data recording apparatus.

Further, the local application module issues a control code in a state that conforms to the control code format converted by the conversion module.

Alternatively, the local application module proposes to issue a local control code in a format different from the control code format converted by the conversion module, and issues the local control code.

In the recording medium of the present invention, a data transmission device having a primary recording medium storing content data and a data recording device capable of recording content data on a secondary recording medium are connected, whereby the content stored in the primary recording medium is connected. In the case where data can be transferred to the secondary recording medium, a program module for executing control of the connected data recording device by the data transmission device, the common control being independent of the type of the secondary recording medium. A common application module for issuing a control code according to the contents, a conversion module for converting the control code issued by the common application module to a control code according to the data recording apparatus to be connected, and the common application module Local application module to issue control codes according to the control contents And a device driver corresponding to the connected data recording apparatus and transmitting the control code converted by the conversion module and the control code issued by the local application module to the connected data recording apparatus.

The local application module issues a control code in accordance with a control code format converted by the conversion module.

Alternatively, the local application module may present the intent to issue a local control code in a format different from the control code format converted by the conversion module, and issue the local control code.

According to the present invention as described above, the control code by the common application module whose main purpose is, for example, checkout / check-in, is transmitted through the device driver as a control code according to the device connected by the conversion module.

For example, the device driver can be shared with the control code by the local application module whose main purpose is to control the processing depending on the connected device.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described in the following order.

1. System Configuration

2. Data path of SDMI content

3. Configuration example of data transmission apparatus (primary recording medium side device / PC)

4. Configuration example of data recording apparatus (secondary recording medium side apparatus / recording and reproducing apparatus)

5. Application Module Structure

"One. System Configuration

First, the system configuration in the embodiment of the present invention will be described.

1 shows a system configuration example. The data recording apparatus of the present invention corresponds to the primary recording medium side device 1, and the data recording apparatus connected to the data transmission apparatus according to the present invention corresponds to the secondary recording medium side devices 20A and 20B. . Then, the data transmission system is constructed by the primary recording medium side device 1 and the secondary recording medium side devices 20A and 20B.

The primary recording medium side device 1 is formed of, for example, a personal computer. Hereinafter, for convenience of explanation, the primary recording medium side device 1 may be referred to as a personal computer 1. However, the primary recording medium side device 1 is not necessarily formed by a personal computer.

The primary recording medium side device 1 executes an operation as a data transfer device by, for example, software that executes accumulation / transfer of SDMI content data that is started on a personal computer. Similarly, control of the connected secondary recording medium side devices 20A and 20B by the group of application modules started on the personal computer, that is, checkout / check-in, reproduction of content data on the secondary recording medium, It functions as a device for controlling recording and editing.

In addition, the HDD 5 built in (or externally attached) to the personal computer 1 serves as a primary recording medium (and primary recording medium drive means).

In the description of the embodiment, the HDD 5 is used as the primary recording medium. Of course, the recording medium corresponding to the primary recording medium is not limited to the HDD. For example, media such as an optical disk, a magneto-optical disk, and a built-in device may be used. The semiconductor memory, the portable semiconductor memory (memory card, etc.) can be considered variously.

The primary recording medium side device 1 can communicate with the content server 91 via the communication network 110, thereby enabling the download of content data such as music. Of course, a plurality of content servers 91 exist, and a user of the personal computer 1 can arbitrarily use various data download services.

As the content data downloaded from the content server 91 to the personal computer 1, there are some content data conforming to the SDMI and some content data not conforming to the SDMI.

The transmission path forming the network 110 may be a wired or wireless public line network, or may be a dedicated line between the personal computer 1 and the content server 91. Specifically, as the network 110, the Internet, a satellite communication network, an optical fiber network, and other various communication lines can be used, for example.

In addition, the HDD 5 of the personal computer 1 includes a package medium 90 (hereinafter referred to as a disc 90 and a removable recording medium 90) such as a CD-DA or a DVD by an internal or external disc drive device. Content data such as music reproduced from the "

Connect the secondary recording medium side apparatuses 20A, 20B to the personal computer 1, and transfer the content data accumulated in the HDD 5 to the secondary recording medium side apparatuses 20A, 20B. (Check out) is enabled. The secondary recording medium side apparatuses 20A and 20B serve as recording apparatuses (recording and reproducing apparatuses) for the secondary recording media. Then, the content data transferred from the personal computer 1 can be copied and recorded on the secondary recording medium.

As a specific example of the secondary recording medium side apparatuses 20A and 20B, it can be variously considered, but the secondary recording medium side apparatus 20B referred to here is a recording apparatus that supports SDMI.

In this recording / reproducing apparatus 20B for SDMI, as a secondary recording medium, for example, a memory card for SDMI using a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory is assumed. Therefore, the secondary recording medium side device 20B is, for example, a recording / playback apparatus (memory card drive) for a memory card compatible with SDMI.

In this case, the SDMI content is recorded in an encrypted state on the secondary recording medium.

In addition, a management information format for storing a content ID, which is an identifier of SDMI content, is formed on a secondary recording medium that is SDMI-compliant. In the personal computer 1, when the content data is stored in the HDD 5, the content ID is generated by the application and stored in the HDD 5 together with the content data. In addition, although the checkout / check-in management is also performed using the content ID, in the secondary recording medium compatible with the SDMI, when the content data is recorded, the content ID can also be recorded.

On the other hand, the secondary recording medium side device 20A corresponds to a data recording apparatus that does not support SDMI. In this case, the SDMI content that requires copyright protection is recorded on the secondary recording medium without encryption. A mini disc is taken as an example of a secondary recording medium here. Therefore, the secondary recording medium side device 20A becomes a mini disc recording / reproducing apparatus (mini disc recorder).

In this case, authentication of the device or the like is a condition for copying so that the copyright protection function is not impaired even if the SDMI contents are recorded in an unencrypted state.

The media recorded and reproduced by the secondary recording medium side device 20A may be, for example, a memory card using a semiconductor memory such as a flash memory, a mini disk as a magneto-optical disk, or a CD-R (CD Recordable). ), CD-RW (CD Rewritable), DVD-RAM, DVD-R, DVD-RW, and the like. Accordingly, the secondary recording medium side device 20A may be a recording device corresponding to these media.

The personal computer 1 and the secondary recording medium side devices 20A and 20B are connected based on transmission standards such as USB (Universal Serial Bus) and IEEE1394, for example. Of course, transmission of content data or the like may be enabled by a wired transmission path or a wireless transmission path of another transmission standard.

In the following description, when it is necessary to distinguish the secondary recording medium side devices 20A and 20B, the secondary recording medium side device 20A is referred to as a mini disc recorder 20A, and the secondary The recording medium side device 20B is sometimes referred to as a memory card drive 20B.

"2. Data Paths to SDMI Content >>

For example, FIG. 2 shows a data path established by SDMI in the case where the system shown in FIG. 1 is assumed.

In addition, this data path is stored, for example, in the personal computer 1 equipped with the HDD 5 as the primary recording medium and stored in the music content and to the external devices (secondary recording medium side devices 20A and 20B). This is a data path for the transfer process, that is, realized by software that performs the accumulation / transfer process of the music content in the personal computer 1.

The order / process on the data path of FIG. 2 is denoted by DP1 to DP9, and corresponding points are indicated by this symbol in the following description.

As for the content data (network content) distributed from the external content server 91 via the network 110 shown in FIG. 1, it is first checked whether or not it is copyright-protected content in accordance with the SDMI (DP1).

The network contents to be distributed include those transmitted by the server side as contents conforming to SDMI (hereinafter referred to as SDMI conforming content) and contents irrelevant to SDMI (hereinafter referred to as non-SDMI contents).

In the case of SDMI-compliant contents, the data is encrypted with the content key CK, for example, by a key cipher such as DES. If the content data itself is data (A3D) originally encoded by a compression scheme such as ATRAC3, the SDMI compliant content is delivered in the state of E (CK, A3D).

When the distributed network content is SDMI compliant content, it is stored as SDMI content in the HDD 5 which is the primary recording medium (DP1? DP2).

In this case, the content data is written to the HDD 5 in the state of distributed E (CK, A3D). Alternatively, after encryption is once decrypted, encryption is performed with another key CK ', that is, the key is exchanged and written in the HDD 5 in the state of E (CK', A3D).

On the other hand, when the network content is non-SDMI content, a watermark check, i.e., a screening process using an electronic watermark is performed (DP1 to DP3).

Also, for example, the device can be read from an internal drive such as a CD-ROM drive attached to the personal computer 1 or package media such as a CD-DA or a DVD reproduced by a disc drive device connected to the personal computer 1. The watermark check is directly performed on the content data (disc content) (DP3).

In other words, the watermark check is performed on the content data that does not conform to the SDMI.

If the watermark check is not passed, the content data is treated as copy impossible on the SDMI data path (DP3-DP5). Although specific handling can be considered variously by software design, for example, it is made to be treated as content data which is stored in the HDD 5 but cannot be transferred for copying / moving to other media, or in accordance with SDMI-compliant content processing. It can be considered that it is not stored in the HDD 5.

If the watermark check passes, that is, if an electronic watermark exists and the copy permission is confirmed as a copy control bit, it is judged as content data that can be legally copied, and whether or not the content data is to be treated as SDMI. It is checked whether or not (DP4). Whether such content data is treated as conforming to the SDMI may be determined by software design, user setting, or the like.

If the SDMI is not handled, the non-SDMI is handled and the content data path conforming to the SDMI is excluded (DP6). For example, it may be possible to transfer to a recording apparatus that does not support SDMI.

On the other hand, in the case of handling SDMI, the content data is encrypted and stored in the HDD 5 as SDMI content (DP4? DP2). For example, it accumulates in the HDD 5 in the state of E (CK, A3D) or in the state of E (CK ', A3D).

According to the above data path, the HDD 5 serving as the primary recording medium includes the contents of SDMI handling (SDMI network contents) obtained through the network 110, and the contents of SDMI handling extracted from a disc or other media such as a CD-DA. (SDMI disk contents) are accumulated.

In addition, for the SDMI content, a content ID, which is data unique to each content, is generated and stored in the HDD 5 for the purpose of managing usage rules described later for each content.

The SDMI contents (SDMI network contents or SDMI disk contents) stored in the HDD 5 are transferred to the secondary recording medium side device 20B (for example, a memory card drive) corresponding to the SDMI based on predetermined rules, Copying is made possible to a secondary recording medium compatible with SDMI. In the case of this example, in addition to the SDMI-compliant secondary recording medium side device 20B, the secondary recording medium side device 20A (for example, a mini disc recorder) can be transferred under predetermined conditions.

First, in the case where the secondary recording medium side device 20B compatible with the SDMI is connected to the personal computer 1 having the HDD 5, it becomes as follows.

In the case of SDMI disc content, a transfer rule corresponding to the SDMI disc content is determined. Based on the handling rule, transfer for copying to the secondary recording medium side device 20B compatible with SDMI is performed. It is accepted (DP8).

In this data path, copy transfer from the primary recording medium (HDD 5) to the secondary recording medium (memory card or the like) recorded and reproduced by the secondary recording medium side device 20B (or 20A) is " Check out ", on the contrary, the transfer transfer from the secondary recording medium to the primary recording medium is " check in " In the case of the movement from the secondary recording medium to the primary recording medium, the corresponding content data is erased on the secondary recording medium.

As a rule for handling transmission corresponding to the SDMI disk content, a predetermined checkout upper limit number of times is determined, for example, up to three checkouts are allowed for one piece of content data. Therefore, copying (checkout) is permitted, for example, up to three secondary recording media compatible with SDMI. When the check-in is performed, the number of checkouts for the content data is subtracted. Therefore, even after copying to three SDMI-compliant secondary recording media, when checking in from one of the secondary recording media, the contents can be copied to the SDMI-compliant secondary recording media once again. That is, content data is always allowed to coexist in up to three SDMI compatible secondary recording media.

Even in the case of SDMI network contents, a usage rule for transmission corresponding to the SDMI network contents is determined, and based on the handling rule, transmission for copying to the SDMI-compliant secondary recording medium side device 20B is performed. It is accepted (DP7).

As this handling rule, the upper limit of the checkout frequency etc. is determined similarly to the above, but the upper limit number etc. may be the same as the handling rule in case of SDMI disc content, and may be another number. For example, it is conceivable to make the checkout upper limit once. In this case, one content data can be copied only to another SDMI-compliant secondary recording medium. However, upon checking in from the secondary recording medium, copy transfer can be performed again.

According to these handling rules, when SDMI content is transmitted for copying to a secondary recording medium that is SDMI compatible, data transmission is performed on the transmission line as it is in an encrypted state. That is, for example, it is transmitted in the state of E (CK, A3D) or the state of E (CK ', A3D).

In addition, the secondary recording medium side device 20B corresponding to the SDMI that has received the encrypted SDMI contents is copied and recorded on the secondary recording medium as it is in the encrypted state.

When the SDMI-compliant secondary recording medium side device 20B reproduces the SDMI contents copied and recorded on the secondary recording medium, the encryption of the content data read from the secondary recording medium is decrypted and reproduced. That is, the content data recorded on the secondary recording medium in the state of E (CK, A3D) or E (CK ', A3D) is decoded by the key CK or the key CK'.

That is, original content data is obtained as ATRAC3 data A3D decrypted as D {CK, E (CK, A3D)} = A3D, or D {CK ', E (CK', A3D)} = A3D. The content data is subjected to decompression processing for ATRAC3 compression or the like, for example, demodulated as audio data, and reproduced output of music or the like is performed.

As described above, the SDMI-compliant content data is a data path until checking out to the secondary recording medium side device 20B for SDMI, or data encrypted until reaching the secondary recording medium. The copy management is performed by checking the handling rule of the transfer or the appropriate copyright protection for the content data.

On the other hand, when the recording / playback apparatus 20A is connected to the personal computer 1, the following processing is adopted.

As described above, the secondary recording medium side device 20A (for example, a mini disc recorder) is, for example, a mini disc as a secondary recording medium, unlike the secondary recording medium side device 20B for SDMI. It is recorded on the back without encryption. By recording in the unencrypted state, the content data copied and recorded on the mini-disc can be reproduced by a general mini-disc reproducing apparatus which is generally spread, thereby improving the convenience of the user.

However, recording in the unencrypted state causes a problem in terms of copyright protection. Therefore, in the case of transmitting the content data to the secondary recording medium side device 20A, it is necessary to satisfy a predetermined condition.

As conditions for allowing SDMI network contents to be transferred to the secondary recording medium side device 20A and copy-recorded onto the secondary recording medium in the unencrypted state, for example, the recording / reproducing apparatus 20A may be authenticated. 3) the copyright holder must acknowledge the copy record for the content data to be transmitted, and 3) satisfy the Usage Rule of transmission as a checkout / check-in.

When the transmission conditions of ①②③ are satisfied, the devices other than the SDMI-compliant recording and reproducing apparatus 20B cannot be copied indefinitely, and the copyright protection function is also secured. In addition, even in the encrypted state on the transmission path for transmitting (the decryption is performed on the secondary recording medium side device 20A side), the copyright protection function can be provided.

When the SDMI network content is transferred to the secondary recording medium side device 20A, the transfer condition of ①②③ is checked (DP9).

In other words, predetermined authentication processing is performed on the recording and reproducing apparatus 20A. In addition, the intention of copy permission on the copyright holder side is confirmed from flag information or the like included in the content data. In addition, check-in / check-out rules apply.

According to these conditions, when the SDMI network content is transmitted to the secondary recording medium side device 20A, data transmission is performed on the transmission line as it is in the encrypted state. That is, for example, it is transmitted in the state of E (CK, A3D) or the state of E (CK ', A3D).

The encrypted SDMI network content is received and processed by the secondary recording medium side device (mini disc recorder) 20A having the configuration of FIG. 4 described later, and then decrypted by the decryption processing unit 28, for example. Original ATRAC3 compressed data (A3D). The unencrypted content data is supplied to the recording / reproducing section 25 through an encoding process by the EFM / ACIRC encoder / decoder 24 of FIG. 4 and copied and recorded on the mini-disc 100.

Therefore, when the secondary recording medium side device (mini disc recorder) 20A plays back the SDMI contents copied and recorded on the mini disc 100, the data read out from the mini disc 100 is used in a normal mini disc system. Decode processing, i.e., EFM demodulation, ACIRC error correction, and decompression processing for the ATRAC compression method.

This means that the copy-recorded mini-disc 100 can normally reproduce the content data even when incorporated in a normal mini-disc reproducing apparatus. In other words, as described above, the user can reproduce the SDMI network contents copied and recorded on the mini-disc 100 by a normal mini-disc reproducing apparatus that is not SDMI capable of enjoying music and the like.

On the other hand, in the data path of Fig. 2, when the transfer permission is not performed by the handling rule check of DP7, DP8, DP9, etc., the transfer to the recording and reproducing apparatuses 20A and 20B is, of course, not performed.

<3. Configuration Example of Data Transfer Device (Primary Recording Media-Side Device / PC) >>

3 shows the configuration of the primary recording medium side device 1 serving as the data transmission device. In addition, although the example demonstrated here is a case where the primary recording medium side apparatus 1 is formed by a personal computer, it is formed as an apparatus for data transmission only by the structure which has the same function, etc. built by dedicated hardware. You may be.

In the case of this example, the function as a data transfer device to the personal computer 1, i.e., check-out / check-in between the secondary recording medium side apparatuses 20A and 20B, or content data on the secondary recording medium side, By installing a software program for executing control functions for instructing recording, reproduction, editing, and the like, a primary recording medium side device serving as a data transmission device is realized. This software program is described later as an application module group in FIG. 5.

In addition, in this specification, a "personal computer" or a "computer" is the meaning of what is called a general purpose computer.

The software program described later in FIG. 5 can be recorded in advance in a hard disk (HDD) 5 or a ROM 3 as a recording medium incorporated in a computer.

The software program may be mounted on a removable recording medium 90 such as a floppy disk, a compact disc read only memory (CD-ROM), a magneto optical (MO) disk, a digital versatile disc (DVD), a magnetic disk, or a semiconductor memory. It can be saved (recorded) temporarily or permanently. Such a removable recording medium 90 can be provided as so-called package software.

The program is not only installed in the computer from the removable recording medium 90 as described above, but also wirelessly transmitted from the download site to the computer via a satellite for digital satellite broadcasting, or from a local area network (LAN). The program transmitted in such a manner as wired to a computer via a network such as the Internet and the like can be received by the communication unit 8 and installed in the HDD 5 to be built in.

The computer 1 of FIG. 3 incorporates a CPU (Central Processing Unit) 2. The input / output interface 10 is connected to the CPU 2 via the bus 12. When a command is input by the user through the input / output interface 10 and the input unit 7 composed of a keyboard, a mouse, a microphone, or the like is operated by the user, the CPU 2 reads the ROM (Read Only Memory) 3 accordingly. Run the program saved in). Alternatively, the CPU 2 may be a program stored in the HDD 5, a program transmitted from a satellite or a network, received by the communication unit 8, installed in the HDD 5, or mounted in the drive 9. The program read from the removable recording medium 90 such as a disk and installed in the HDD 5 is loaded into the RAM (Random Access Memory) 4 and executed. As a result, the CPU 2 executes a process as a data transfer device for the SDMI content described later.

The CPU 2 outputs the result of the processing from the output unit 6 composed of an LCD (Liquid Crystal Display), a speaker, or the like through the input / output interface 10, if necessary, or a communication unit ( 8) or to the HDD 5 for recording.

In this example, the communication unit 8 is capable of communicating with various servers via the network 110 of FIG. That is, the computer 1 can download network content such as music content from the external content server 91. In accordance with the above-described data path, the network content to be downloaded is processed as content corresponding to SDMI or as content not corresponding to SDMI, and stored in the HDD 5 as SDMI content at least in SDMI compatible processing. . The SDMI content stored in the HDD 5 becomes the content to be transferred to the secondary recording medium side device 20B compatible with the SDMI or the certified secondary recording medium side device (recording / reproducing device) 20A.

The connection part 11 is a site | part connected so that data communication is possible with the 2nd recording medium side apparatus 20A, 20B. For example, a USB interface, an IEEE1394 interface, or the like can be considered. Of course, it may be a wired interface of another standard or a wireless interface using infrared rays or radio waves.

In addition, the various processes for realizing the data path described in FIG. 2 do not need to be processed in time series, respectively, but also include processing executed in parallel or separately (for example, parallel processing or processing by objects).

The program may be processed by one computer or may be distributed by a plurality of computers. In addition, the program may be transferred to a remote computer and executed.

"4. Configuration Example of Data Recording Apparatus (Second Recording Medium-Side Apparatus / Recording and Reproducing Apparatus) >>

4 shows an example of the configuration of the secondary recording medium side device 20A.

In this example, the secondary recording medium side device 20A is configured as, for example, a mini disc recorder. Thus, the secondary recording medium 100 is an example of a mini disc (magnet disk). Hereinafter, it is also described as "mini disk 100."

4 shows only a processing system for recording and reproducing data for a mini disk as the secondary recording medium 100, and a processing system for data transfer from the primary recording medium side device 1, and shows a mini disk. The drive system, the servo system, the reproducing output system, etc. for the 100 are the same as those of the normal mini disc recording / reproducing apparatus, and thus detailed illustration thereof is omitted.

The MD control unit (CPU) 21 is a controller which controls the recording and reproducing operation for the mini disc 100 in the recording and reproducing apparatus 20A. Specifically, for recording and reproducing to the mini disc 100, control of rotation drive, spindle servo, focus servo, tracking servo, thread servo, etc., control of laser light or magnetic field application operation of the optical head / magnetic head, and recording Control of encoding / decoding processing of reproduction data is performed.

The recording / reproducing section 25 includes an optical head, a magnetic head, a disk rotation drive system, a servo system, and the like, and is actually a portion for recording / reproducing data on the mini disk 100.

The EFM / ACIRC encoder / decoder 24 decodes the recording data for the mini disc 100 and decodes the reproduction data reproduced from the mini disc 100. As is well known, in the case of a mini disc system, recording data is subjected to encoding processing of the ACIRC error correction code or EFM modulation processing. The EFM / ACIRC encoder / decoder 24 performs ACIRC encoding and EFM encoding on the recording data and supplies them to the recording / reproducing section 25.

At the time of reproduction, decoding processing such as binarization processing, EFM demodulation, and error correction processing of the ACIRC system is performed on the data (RF signal) read and supplied from the recording / reproducing section 25.

The buffer memory 30 buffers the recording data and the reproduction data for the mini disk 100. In particular, a buffering function known as a shock proof function is also performed.

At the time of data recording, the ATRAC / ATRAC3 type compression-coded recording data is once stored in the buffer memory 30. Then, the data is intermittently read out for each predetermined amount of data and supplied to the EFM / ACIRC encoder / decoder 24 to provide the recording process.

At the time of data reproduction, the data read from the mini disc 100 and decoded by the EFM / ACIRC encoder / decoder 24 are accumulated once. The accumulated data is read continuously and provided to the compression decode process in the codec 23.

The codec 23 is a site | part which performs compression processing and decompression processing by compression coding of ATRAC / ATRAC3 system.

The data recorded on the mini-disc 100 is subjected to the encoding process after the compression encoding of the ATRAC / ATRAC3 system is performed. Therefore, in the case where data which is not subjected to compression encoding, for example, PCM audio data or the like, is input to the recording and reproducing apparatus 20A as recording data, the codec 23 performs compression encoding of the ATRAC method or the ATRAC3 method. The compressed data is supplied to the EFM / ACIRC encoder / decoder 24.

At the time of reproduction, the data read by the recording / reproducing section 25 and decoded by the EFM / ACIRC encoder / decoder 24 is the data in the compression encoding state of the ATRAC / ATRAC3 system. This data is supplied to the codec 23 via the buffer memory 30, and the decompression processing for the ATRAC / ATRAC3 system compression is performed by the codec 23, so that digital audio data of, for example, 44.1 ms and 16 bits of quantization is performed. Is demodulated. The digital audio data is subjected to, for example, D / A conversion, analog signal processing, amplification processing, and the like in a circuit of an output system (not shown), to be a speaker output signal and reproduced as music or the like.

Alternatively, the digital audio data can be output to other devices.

Although the above structure is a component provided also in the recording / reproducing apparatus of a normal mini disc system, in the mini disc recorder 20A of this example, the site | part corresponding to the personal computer as the primary recording medium side apparatus 1 is further provided. . In other words, the communication unit 26, the DMA 27, the decoding processing unit 28, the cache memory 29, the flow control unit 31, and the system control unit are used as the site for performing processing such as reception and decoding on the transmitted content data. 32) is installed.

The system control unit 32 (CPU) is a site that controls the entire mini disc recorder 20A.

For example, control for communication and authentication of data generation for authentication with the personal computer 1, receipt of various commands with the personal computer 1, processing for the transmitted content data, and the like are performed. In addition, instructions are given to the MD control unit 21 in accordance with these controls to control recording / reproducing of the content data on the mini-disc 100, reading or updating management information, and the like.

Although not shown, an operation unit and a display unit are provided as user interfaces, but processing according to monitoring and operation of user operations from the operation unit, display control of the display unit, and the like are also performed.

The communication unit 26 is connected to the connection unit 11 of the personal computer 1 in FIG. 3, and is a portion for performing data communication with the personal computer 1. For example, signal processing corresponding to a communication method such as USB or IEEE1394 is performed.

Communication from the personal computer 1 received by the communication unit 26 includes various commands, SDMI contents, and the like.

Data as SDMI content received by the communication unit 26 is stored in the cache memory 29 under the control of the direct memory access (DMA) 27. Of course, the data movement to the cache memory 29 may be performed by the CPU control instead of the DMA 27.

The decryption processing unit 28 is a part corresponding to the encryption process of the SDMI contents. That is, decryption processing is performed on the content data stored in the cache memory 29. The content data decrypted in the non-encrypted state is stored in another area of the cache memory 29.

Since the SDMI content is encrypted with the content key CK or CK ', information capable of recognizing at least the content keys CK and CK' is stored.

Since information capable of recognizing the content key CK with respect to the SDMI content is stored, the decryption processing unit 28 transmits the SDMI content transmitted in the encrypted state with the content key CK, that is, for example, E (CK, A3D). The content of the state can be decoded. In other words, with D {CK, E (CK, A3D)} = A3D, data in the decoded ATRAC3 compressed state can be obtained. The ATRAC3 compressed data decoded in this manner can be recorded on the mini-disc 100 by the recording / reproducing section 25 through an encoding process by the EFM / ACIRC encoder / decoder 24.

In addition, the SDMI content is not necessarily encrypted with ATRAC3 compressed data. For example, the linear PCM data is encrypted with the key CK. That is, for example, the content in the state of E (CK, PCM) may be transferred and input. In that case, of course, linear PCM data decoded in the decoding processing unit with D {CK, E (CK, PCM)} = PCM is obtained. In that case, the PCM data is subjected to the encoding process by the EFM / ACIRC encoder / decoder 24 after the ATRAC3 compression process is performed by the codec 23, and then the mini disc 100 by the recording / reproducing unit 25. ) Can be recorded.

The decryption processing unit 28 may also store a key for authentication processing. For example, remember the public or encryption key.

In some cases, encryption processing using a secret key may be performed.

The decoding processing unit 28 also includes a hash engine, and also performs a process of generating a content ID by a so-called hash (HASH) function calculation.

The content ID is identification information for managing checkout / check-in of the content data, and is generated for management on the personal computer 1 side.

The encrypted SDMI content data, for example, the ATRAC3 type compressed data, or the content data in the PCM data state is transmitted from the cache memory 29 to the flow control unit 31.

The flow control section 31 records the decrypted SDMI content data on the mini-disc 100 by using the MD control unit 21 side (codec 23, EFM / ACIRC encoder / decoder 24) as a recording processing system. , The recording / reproducing section 25 and the buffer memory 30 side).

Then, data is transmitted in response to a request (XARQ) from the MD control unit 21. By this flow control part 31, timing adjustment between the reception of the content data, the decryption process, and the recording process for the mini disc 100 is achieved.

The bus line 22 includes the MD control unit (CPU) 21, the codec 23, the buffer memory 30, the EFM / ACIRC encoder / decoder 24, the flow control unit 31, the DMA 27, and the cache memory. (29), a communication line for receiving various data between the communication unit 26, the decoding processing unit 28, and the system control unit 32.

With the above configuration, the data of the state of E (CK, A3D) or the data of the state of E (CK, PCM) as the SDMI content data transmitted from the personal computer 1 is in an unencrypted state, and the ATRAC3 compressed data After the encoding process is performed by the EFM / ACIRC encoder / decoder 24 in the state of, the recording / reproducing section 25 is recorded on the mini disc 100.

By the way, from the personal computer 1 to the mini-disc recorder 20A, various commands are also transmitted at the time of the check-out / check-in of the communication data and other communication sessions.

When these commands are received by the communication unit 26, they are transmitted to the system control unit 32. The system control unit 32 performs various processes according to these commands, and sends a response to the command from the communication unit 26 to the personal computer. Send to (1).

<5. Application Module Structure >>

In the personal computer 1, the connected secondary recording medium side apparatuses 20A and 20B perform control regarding check out / check-in and processing such as recording, reproducing and editing of content data on the secondary recording medium side. The structure of the application module group for the purpose will be described in FIG.

This application module group is a configuration as a program installed in the ROM 3 or HDD 5 of FIG. 3, and the personal computer 1 is executed by the CPU 2 by performing necessary processing based on the application module group. Executes control to the secondary recording medium side devices 20A and 20B that are connected.

In addition, editing of content data on a secondary recording medium means division, connection, movement, etc. of content data, for example, in the mini disc 100 etc. as a secondary recording medium.

As the application module group of this example, as shown in the drawing, the common application module 70, the command conversion modules 71 and 73, the device drivers 72 and 74, the switching functions 75 and 76, and the local application module 77 78).

The switching functions 75 and 76 are, for example, module selection functions on a program.

The common application module 70 is an application module whose main purpose is to check out / check in content data. The common application module 70 performs secondary recording on a medium such as a mini disk or a memory card, which can be used as a secondary recording medium in the present system. When the recording medium side apparatuses 20A, 20B, and the like are connected, the module performs control of checkout / check-in and various processing accompanying them.

This common application module 70 issues a command (control code) having common control contents regardless of the type of the secondary recording medium side device to be connected. That is, although various commands are issued according to various control contents, these commands are not different depending on the type of the connected secondary recording medium side device.

On the other hand, for example, a secondary recording medium side device (memory card drive) 20B using a memory card as a secondary recording medium, and a secondary recording medium side device (mini disc recorder) using a mini disc as a secondary recording medium. In 20A, the format of the corresponding command code format, command frame structure, and the like are different.

For this reason, command conversion modules 71 and 73 are prepared as plug-in modules.

The command conversion module 71 is a module that converts and issues a common command issued from the common application module 70 into a control code and a command frame structure corresponding to the memory card drive 20B.

When the memory card drive 20B is connected to the personal computer 1, the common commands issued from the common application module 70 are formatted by the command conversion module 71 so that the memory card drive 20B can cope. Is converted to. The conversion command is supplied to the memory card drive 20B through the device driver 72 corresponding to the memory card drive 20B.

By this system, check out / check-in control is performed when the memory card drive 20B is connected.

The command conversion module 73 is a module that converts and issues a common command issued from the common application module 70 into a control code and a command frame structure corresponding to the mini disc recorder 20A.

When the mini disc recorder 20A is connected to the personal computer 1, the common commands issued from the common application module 70 are formatted by the command converting module 73 so that the mini disc recorder 20A can cope. Is converted to. The conversion command is supplied to the mini disc recorder 20A through the device driver 74 corresponding to the mini disc recorder 20A.

By this system, check out / check-in control is performed when the mini disc recorder 20A is connected. In addition, when the common application module 70 issues a common command, the switching function 75 is in the state which selects the conversion command of the t1 side, namely, the command conversion module 73. As shown in FIG.

As a conversion command corresponding to the mini disc recorder 20A by the command conversion module 73, for example, a control code is issued in the command frame as shown in FIG.

In this case, the operation code at the offset address "02h" is declared to be a vendor dependent code determined by the format license issuer of the device to be connected, that is, the mini-disc recorder 20A.

The actual operation code (control code) is described at the offset address "0Ah". In other words, it is an operation code as a vendor-dependent VDC. After the offset address "0Bh", it becomes an argument field of the control code.

Note that the offset addresses "03h" to "05h" are company IDs, for example, a company unique code determined by the IEEE. In this case, the code of the format license issuer of the mini disc recorder 20A to be connected is described.

The offset addresses "06h" to "09h" are data fields that can be set on the format license issuer side.

That is, by this conversion command, the common command is supplied to the mini disc recorder 20A which is converted into a control code form specified by the format license issuer of the mini disc recorder 20A and connected thereto.

The module structure described so far, that is, the common application module 70 issues a common command, and as a plug-in module, command conversion modules 71 and 73 corresponding to the connected device are provided, and each converting command corresponding to the corresponding device is issued. By adopting the configuration, the personal computer 1 may include the common application module 70 as a basic application for checkout / check-in, and the corresponding command conversion modules 71, 73, etc., depending on the device in which connection is assumed. Plug it in. As a result, an efficient and high degree of freedom software structure can be realized.

However, the common application module 70 is responsible for issuing a common command as a control code relating to the control executed in common with various secondary recording media.

By the way, a control code to be issued when a specific secondary recording medium side device is connected due to the difference in the characteristics of various media as the secondary recording medium and the processing function according to the media as the secondary recording medium side device is also assumed. do. In other words, when a control code (local command) of control content that is not issued by the common application module 70 is to be issued, a local application module corresponding to the connected device is prepared.

In this example, when the mini disc recorder 20A is connected, control instructions such as editing of content data in the mini disc 100 serving as the secondary recording medium are assumed to be control contents depending on the secondary recording medium. The following describes an example of issuing a control code by the local application modules 77 and 78.

The local application module 77 converts a local command for instructing, for example, editing into the mini-disc recorder 20A, into a state matched to the conversion command format corresponding to the mini-disc recorder 20A as shown in FIG. Module to publish.

That is, in this case, the control code is issued from the local application module 77 in the command frame as shown in FIG.

The conversion command frame shown in FIG. 7 extends the conversion command frame shown in FIG. 6 and is an operation code at an offset address "02h", except for the format license issuer of the target device, for example, the mini-disc recorder 20A in this example. It is declared that it is a vendor dependent code determined by the device manufacturer (maker of mini disc recorder 20A).

After the offset address &quot; 06h &quot;, a field in which the actual control code (and arguments, etc.) can be set freely is set. In this field, information as a local command is described.

Note that the offset addresses "03h" to "05h" are company IDs, for example, a company unique code determined by the IEEE. In this case, the code of the manufacturer of the mini disc recorder 20A to be connected is described. Manufacturer means a licensor or licensing in the format.

When such a conversion command is issued from the local application module 77, the switching function 76 functions as the t3 side, and the switching function 75 functions as the t2 side, and the conversion command is set via the device driver 74. It is supplied to the disc recorder 20A. This becomes a control system for controlling the functions inherent to the mini disc recorder 20A.

Since the conversion command from the command conversion module 73 and the conversion command from the local application module 77 adopt the same command frame structure, in the firmware application on the mini-disc recorder 20A side, The common analysis module makes it possible to receive a command.

By installing the common application module 70 and the local application module 77 as described above, when the mini disc recorder 20A is connected, not only the check-out / check-in but also content editing unique to the mini disc recorder 20A, etc. Control of the processing can also be performed. However, in some cases, instead of issuing a conversion command frame in advance as in the local application module 77, there is a case where the local application module 78 for issuing the local command as it is is to be mounted.

In this example, therefore, the local application module 78 also prepares a module structure for issuing a local command without performing the above conversion.

As described above, the personal computer 1 and the mini disc recorder 20A are connected by, for example, a transmission path such as USB.

In a transmission path such as USB, as shown in the send control command in FIG. 8A and the receive response command in FIG. 8B, the "bmRequestType" field and the "bRequest" field are prepared.

These fields indicate whether a control command is issued to the secondary recording medium side devices 20A and 20B from an application on the personal computer 1 side, or the personal computer 1 from the secondary recording medium side devices 20A and 20B. It is used to determine in advance whether or not to receive a response of a control command to the application on the side.

Specifically, if the MSB in the "bmRequestType" field is "0" as shown in Fig. 8A, the command direction (send direction) from the personal computer 1 to the secondary recording medium side devices 20A, 20B is indicated. As shown in Fig. 8B, when the MSB is "1", the command direction (receive direction) from the secondary recording medium side apparatuses 20A and 20B to the personal computer 1 is shown.

When the value of the "bRequest" field is "80h", it indicates that it is a control command as shown in FIG. 8A, and when the value of the "bRequest" field is "81h", it indicates that it is a response command as shown in FIG. 8B.

Therefore, in the case of Fig. 8A, it becomes a control command from the personal computer 1 to the secondary recording medium side devices 20A, 20B. In the case of Fig. 8B, the personal recording is performed from the secondary recording medium side devices 20A, 20B. It becomes a response command to the computer 1.

8A to 8B show, for example, a common command mainly for checkout / check-in issued to the secondary recording medium side apparatuses 20A and 20B from an application on the personal computer 1 side, It is a response.

When a local command is issued by the local application module 78, the structure of Figs. 8A to 8B is extended and defined.

9A-9B are structures of local commands issued by local application module 78.

That is, when "FFh" is a value of the "bRequest" field, it is defined as indicating that it is a local command from the local application module 78 freely determined by the manufacturer of the mini-disc recorder 20A, for example.

In addition, the MSB of the "bmRequestType" field indicates the direction of the command as described above. Therefore, when the present example is described, Fig. 9A is a structure of the local control command from the local application module 78 to the mini-disc recorder 20A. 9B shows the structure of a local response command from the mini disc recorder 20A to the local application module 78 for a local control command.

In the case of the local commands shown in Figs. 9A and 9B, in the field indicated as vendor dependent data, the contents of the command data freely set by the device manufacturer and the corresponding response data contents are described.

In this case, according to the issuance of the local command of FIG. 9A in the local application module 78, the switching function 76 selects the t4 side and the switching function 75 selects the t2 side, and the local application module 78 issues it. One local command is directly supplied to the device driver 74 to be supplied to the mini disc recorder 20A.

In addition, the switching function 75, 76 similarly selects the t2 side and the t4 side by the structure of FIG. 9B, so that the local application module 78 is issued directly from the device driver 74 to the mini-disc recorder 20A. It is to be able to receive a response command.

According to the module structure of FIG. 5 described above, the control specific to the connected device, which cannot be coped by the common application module 70, can be coped by the local application modules 77 and 78. In addition, since the device driver 74 can be shared at that time, introduction of the device driver also becomes unnecessary with the introduction of the local application modules 77 and 78.

In addition, by using a module for issuing a conversion command like the local application module 77, firmware processing on the mini-disc recorder 20A side becomes easy.

On the other hand, by issuing a local command like the local application module 78, it is not necessary to issue the model-dependent local command in accordance with the format of the conversion command in advance.

As mentioned above, although the example in the Example was described, this invention is not limited to the said example.

In particular, the local application modules 77 and 78 have been exemplified as corresponding to the mini-disc recorder 20A. Of course, it is conceivable that the local application module corresponding to the memory card drive 20B is used in the configuration of FIG. Can be.

Of course, the secondary recording medium side device is not limited to a mini disc recorder or a memory card drive, but other types of devices are also assumed. For example, the secondary recording medium 100 may be a disk medium such as a CD-R, a CD-RW, a DVD-RAM, a DVD-R, a DVD-RW, a medium by a solid memory, a tape medium, or the like. Therefore, although the secondary recording medium side device is assumed to be various recording devices corresponding to these media, a module configuration corresponding to the device where these connections are assumed may be adopted.

As can be seen from the above description, according to the present invention, the control code by the common application module whose main purpose is, for example, checkout / check-in, is the control code according to the device connected by the conversion module, thereby providing a device driver. Is sent via. This eliminates the need to mount an application module for each type of device to be connected.

For example, the device driver can be shared with the control code by the local application module whose main purpose is to control the processing depending on the connected device. For this reason, the process which switches the application started according to a process becomes unnecessary.

In particular, the local application module can easily share the device driver by issuing a control code in a state in which it is in conformity with the control code format converted by the conversion module.

Further, the local application module can share the device driver even if the local application code is issued to issue the local control code in a format different from the control code format converted by the conversion module. In particular, in this case, a high degree of freedom control system according to the device to be connected as the local control code is enabled.

For this reason, the data transfer apparatus can realize the simplification of the module structure and the efficiency of the processing for performing control over the connected data recording apparatus.

Further, according to the recording medium of the present invention, it is possible to easily realize a data transmission device for executing the device control method which achieves the above-mentioned effect, for example by a personal computer.

Claims (9)

A data transmission apparatus having a primary recording medium storing content data, and a data recording apparatus capable of recording content data on a secondary recording medium are connected, whereby the content data stored in the primary recording medium is stored in the secondary recording medium. In the apparatus control method for the data recording apparatus connected by the data transmission apparatus when the transfer is enabled, The control code according to the common control content not depending on the type of secondary recording medium is issued by the common application module, the control module is converted by the conversion module in accordance with the connected data recording device, and the converted control code is A first control sequence for transmitting to a data recording apparatus connected through a device driver, A second control procedure for issuing, by the local application module, a control code corresponding to the control content not prepared in the common application module, and transmitting the issued control code to a data recording apparatus connected through the device driver; Is selectively performed according to the control content to be executed. The method of claim 1, In the second control procedure, the local application module issues a control code in a state of conforming to a control code format converted by the conversion module. The method of claim 1, In the second control procedure, the local application module issuing the purpose of issuing a local control code in a format different from the control code format converted by the conversion module, and issuing the local control code. Control method. In the data transmission apparatus, Primary recording medium drive means for recording and reproducing data for the primary recording medium; Communication means capable of performing various data communications including the transfer of content data stored in said primary recording medium between an external data recording apparatus for recording on a secondary recording medium; Connected device control means for transmitting a control code to various data recording apparatuses communicatively connected by said communication means to control the connected data recording apparatus. Including; The connected device control means, A common application module for issuing control codes according to common control contents not depending on the type of secondary recording medium; A conversion module for converting the control code issued by the common application module into a control code according to the data recording apparatus to be connected; A local application module for issuing a control code according to the control content not prepared in the common application module; A device driver corresponding to the connected data recording apparatus and transmitting each of the control code converted by the conversion module and the control code issued by the local application module to the connected data recording apparatus. Data transmission device comprising a. The method of claim 4, wherein And the local application module issues a control code in a state in which the local application module conforms to the control code format converted by the conversion module. The method of claim 4, wherein And said local application module issuing the purpose of issuing a local control code in a format different from the control code format converted by said conversion module, and issuing said local control code. A data transmission apparatus having a primary recording medium storing content data, and a data recording apparatus capable of recording content data on a secondary recording medium are connected, whereby the content data stored in the primary recording medium is stored in the secondary recording medium. A program module for executing control on a connected data recording device by the data transmission device when the data transmission is enabled by the data transmission device, A common application module for issuing control codes according to common control contents not depending on the type of secondary recording medium; A conversion module for converting the control code issued by the common application module into a control code according to the data recording apparatus to be connected; A local application module for issuing a control code according to the control content not prepared in the common application module; A device driver corresponding to the connected data recording apparatus and transmitting each of the control code converted by the conversion module and the control code issued by the local application module to the connected data recording apparatus. And a recording medium. The method of claim 7, wherein And the local application module issues a control code in accordance with a control code format converted by the conversion module. The method of claim 7, wherein And the local application module issuing the purpose of issuing a local control code in a format different from the control code format converted by the conversion module, and issuing the local control code.